4 September 2008

Alert

Three journalists convicted of threatening state security over article questioning prime minister's citizenship


Incident details

Fernando Veloso, Luís Nhachote, Alvarito de Carvalho

journalist(s)

sentenced
(MISA/IFEX) - Three journalists working for "Zambeze" newspaper, an independent publication, charged for allegedly defaming the Prime Minister of Mozambique, Luísa Diogo, and of threatening state security, have been sentenced to 6 months in prison, converted to a monetary fine of 30 Mozambican Meticais (US$1.20). The ruling was made on 29 August 2008.

The court dismissed the state's request that the journalists be fined US$400,000.

"I don't think this (request) can be applied in a case like this", judge João Paulo Peixoto said.

Eduardo Jorge, the lawyer of the three journalists, told MISA-Mozambique that he is going to appeal the sentence saying he is not happy with it. According to the Mozambican Law, he has five days to make the appeal.



Source:

Media Institute of Southern Africa
21 Johann Albrecht Street
Private Bag 13386
Windhoek
Namibia
director (@) misa.org
Phone: +264 61 232975
Fax: +264 61 248016
 

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More on this case

Three journalists charged with threatening state security over article questioning prime minister's citizenship 23 July 2008

Mozambique

Police officers threaten to kill journalist 1 March 2011 Parliament to debate freedom of information bill 4 October 2010 Prominent journalist receives death threats 25 May 2010 Journalists threatened, denied access to Renamo leader 9 December 2009 Radio journalist beaten by opposition party supporters 24 September 2009 See all alerts: Mozambique


 
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